01 July 2008

By Emily Visser

CARL von Brandis, Joburg’s first magistrate and mining commissioner, is standing proud once again.

About R15-million and months of work by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has given the high court precinct a new look, and the Von Brandis statue its freedom.

It had been fenced off from the public and all but forgotten, standing in the western corner of the high court gardens. The precinct itself was in a derelict state, with broken pavements, a lack of street furniture and general neglect the order of the day.

Supported by Old Mutual, ApexHi and Pitje Chambers, with contributions of R2,5-million, R2-million and R976 850 respectively, the precinct has received a major facelift from the JDA. New pavements, benches and lighting make the public environment worthy of the beautiful High Court building itself.

The agency officially handed over the precinct to the legal fraternity on 27 June, Von Brandis himself a key witness.

Claimed back
Lael Bethlehem, the JDA’s chief executive officer, was her usual effervescent self and expressed the hope that this was just the beginning of much bigger things for the area.

“The High Court is conceptually and architecturally important and must not be lost in the hurly burly of the inner city.”

The square, situated on the corner of Pritchard and Von Brandis streets, was originally intended as a large, public open space. But the High Court, build in 1911, swallowed most of the square. Now, with the liberation of Von Brandis, a little bit of the square can be claimed back by the public.

Much thought and creativity went into the design elements used in the revamp. The paving stone is of a higher quality than pavers usually used in the city, and is unique to the court precinct. Public lighting consists of magnificent, basket weave patterns in robust metal. And the benches are comfortable, yet their concave design will discourage vagrants from catching a quick snooze.

New street trees have also been planted. The fever trees, with their signature light green bark, planted along Von Brandis Street, will in time, make this a spectacular pedestrian walkway. And, on the easterly corner of the High Court, a new modern city clock, painted Indian red, now marks Joburg time.

“We have opted for public art and facilities that are once robust, but also very delicate,” Bethlehem concluded.

Many projects
JDA projects were marking a sea-change for the city, with very different levels of funding and commitment in urban management being undertaken, unlike those undertaken in the past, she said.

There are hives of activity in other parts of the city as well, driven by the JDA and private investors alike. Earlier in the day, members of the media were taken on a bus tour of the inner city to see current and forthcoming projects.

A quick tour around Bertrams and Ellis Park showed the impact the Bus Rapid Transit system will have on the area. Already, Charlton Terrace and Saratoga and Bertrams roads are being widened to make way for the dedicated bus lanes. At Joe Slovo Bridge, a small square, newly paved, together with new lighting, forms the entrance into the Ellis Park precinct.

The columns under the bridge have been tiled in beautiful white mosaics.

A number of homes along Bertrams Road have been bought by the JDA. These will be demolished to make way for new non-RDP type housing, targeting families. This falls in line with the City’s general approach to urban management, with the emphasis on infill development along public transport routes.

However, the JDA is still looking for private investors to take over the development.

A number of streets and parks in Bertrams will also be upgraded in the 2008-09 financial year. This is expected to be completed by May or June 2009. The JDA is undertaking similar public environmental upgrades to streets and parks in Yeoville, Berea and Hillbrow, which are nearing completion.

Doornfontein, still an eyesore, will also get some serious nurturing in the near future. According to Bethlehem, this is one of the more difficult and dilapidated areas of Johannesburg, but R115-million has been set aside by the JDA for this project.

Transport Square, currently a taxi holding area lying between Angle and Van Beek roads, will be converted into a proper holding area, to create “a pleasant public environment”.

The square is a critical link to the Ellis Park precinct, with the Ellis Park Station entrance right there. The station entrance will also be revamped, making it more attractive.

Private coffers
And private investment is growing alongside these City initiatives.

There is a strong demand for light-industrial and residential usage in the area. Three buildings surrounding Transport Square have been bought and will be converted into such spaces in the near future. Most of this will be driven by the private sector.

The tour also made a turn around Jewel City and the fashion district, both JDA initiatives which are starting to look the part. In turn, private investors are moving in.

ApexHi and AFHCO Holdings, just two of the big inner city developers, are investing huge amounts in derelict buildings. These are turned into office buildings or much-needed residential space.

“Our aim is to create sustainable inner city communities,” confirmed Lebo Mashego, AFHCO’s urban development manager.

The company recently won the JDA’s Halala Joburg Award for working and buying in the inner city.

In another development, Registry House in Kerk Street, once a blemish on the city scape, was converted into small and medium enterprise office space and now acts as an incubator of small, medium and micro enterprises.

“Our experience has shown that if we improve the public environment, private investment follows,” Bethlehem adds.